Do People Get Possessed by Evil Spirits?

[h_p]

I wouldn't say you've spoken too much. I think not talking about these things is detrimental to us spiritually. When they happen, people don't understand what is happening and they deal with it in all the wrong ways.

We should not take them lightly, by any means. I don't think we should be swapping these stories at night by firelight in order to get a thrill from them. But I do believe serious discussion and sharing of experiences would be helpful among those who desire to follow Christ. We should all know how to cast evil out of our lives. Why else would we be taught how to in the temple?

Totally agree. Plus, I like what John Pontius had to say about this subject:

Since that evening, which was many years ago, that particular batch of tormentors has not returned to her home. Her prayers and spirituality quickly returned to normal.

It takes a lot of pondering to understand experiences like this. I’ve had almost seventeen years now to think about this. I believe we are in a very dangerous war, and that we hardly realize it. I think we have a powerful weapon in the Priesthood, which we hardly invoke for that purpose. I think the reason Heavenly Father lets us “see” these things sometimes, is simply to awaken us to our perilous situation, and to teach us to resist evil while it is being held back by divine law.

I also think that as the times of Zion approach, as we grow more and more Zion-worthy, that opposition will increase. The power of evil will amplify, and this war will evolve from unseen, to very in-your-face. When we begin to build Zion, the balance of good and evil that exists will be tipped dramatically, and the bowels of hell will erupt all around us. Then, these small lessons in repelling evil will be invaluable. We will have already engaged the enemy, and we will be equipped both by our faith, and by our enlightened perception, to stand in places made holy by our presence, and not be moved.

The whole article is good: https://unblogmysoul.wordpress.com/2010 ... ly-places/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ChristopherABrown]

Do people, adults and children, get possessed by evil spirits? If so, how common is it. If you do or do not think so, please back up what you say by scripture and quotes from church sources.

I won't be able to back this up from scripture. But biology and psychology will support it.

People are human beings and animal beings with a full array of instincts. That array actually covers from the most primitive animal life through the highest principles human beings can know and respond to. They are described by DNA.

The instincts controlling behavior are termed "phylogenetic DNA". They are invoked by our perceptions, internal and external.

There is a tendency at times for a fixation to occur using one or more sets of DNA or instinctual responses to perceptions. Those, can shift from our basic human responses to animalistic responses. The reasons for this shift can be external or internal.

We flat out do not know very much about what is going on with our mind while sleeping. It is altogether possible for a fixation to develop in the human mind at childhood which does not emerge in behaviors until much later in life, again, that can be completely internal or have obvious external aspects relating to conditions. Dream state influence is an unknown aspect, but it is known that people are often profoundly influenced by dreams. As it is possible to not remember a dream, it is also possible that a dream not remembered still influences which instincts are use to control conscious behaviors.

Then, there are epigenetics. Conditions invoke which genes produce cells and which ones do not. Thoughts and mental events are conditions that our phylogenetic DNA responds too. Over time, those responses and the resulting production of genes can become fixed resulting in what appears to our society as disturbed or ill.

When things effecting behavior are termed "spirits", there is a strong temptation to use historical labels applied to describe the behaviors rather than the pragmatic recognition that they are internal events triggered by some perception.

If psychology was not so controlled by church and state, it could track down a good deal of these instincts and learn how to interact with them. Or, find ways to invoke the good ones that over power the bad animalistic instincts a person is acting or reacting with.

[Original_Intent]

I thought the movie "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" was pretty legit.

Let me get this straight.

Porn, (*something not even addressed in the scriptures) will lead to possession but watching a movie basically made to turn possession into an entertaining plot line won't...?

(*that part in matthew is wrongly translated from the greek. Jesus was reminding them that not only is adultery a sin but so was coveting another mans wife)

If you've seen the movie, please elaborate.
If you haven't seen the movie, I'd recommend that you not comment on what you know nothing about.

I didn't recommend the movie. I said I felt like it was legit. Let me expand on that. I think it is probably an accurate depiction of how a good person could be possessed. Serving my mission in japan there is a folktale that I think also is demonstrative.

A man had his eyes opened to the spiritual plane. First he saw a city, with one puny demon in the entire city. "What a righteous city!" he exclaimed.

Then he was shown a disheveled old man surrounded by seven powerful demons. "What a wicked man that must be!" he thought.

(I don't remember the details but there was another being that was responsible for him being able to see the spiritual realm) and he explained "The wicked city only needed one weak little devil to keep all of the inhabitants behaving evilly, but the seven powerful demons could not divert the single old man from his course."

I thought this was portrayed in the Exorcism of Emily Rose, I didn't feel that it was a cheap thrill movie or one that a person should watch lightly. It is supposedly based on actual events, and I tend to believe that sure some things were exaggerated or dramatized, yeah I think it could and does happen that way. Which is why I made the comment I did.

So again, if you have watched it, please elaborate your concern.
If you haven't, well, sharing your opinion on what you have no knowledge of doesn't make a lot of sense.

[isaacs2066]

I thought the movie "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" was pretty legit.

Let me get this straight.

Porn, (*something not even addressed in the scriptures) will lead to possession but watching a movie basically made to turn possession into an entertaining plot line won't...?

(*that part in matthew is wrongly translated from the greek. Jesus was reminding them that not only is adultery a sin but so was coveting another mans wife)

If you've seen the movie, please elaborate.
If you haven't seen the movie, I'd recommend that you not comment on what you know nothing about.

I didn't recommend the movie. I said I felt like it was legit. Let me expand on that. I think it is probably an accurate depiction of how a good person could be possessed. Serving my mission in japan there is a folktale that I think also is demonstrative.

A man had his eyes opened to the spiritual plane. First he saw a city, with one puny demon in the entire city. "What a righteous city!" he exclaimed.

Then he was shown a disheveled old man surrounded by seven powerful demons. "What a wicked man that must be!" he thought.

(I don't remember the details but there was another being that was responsible for him being able to see the spiritual realm) and he explained "The wicked city only needed one weak little devil to keep all of the inhabitants behaving evilly, but the seven powerful demons could not divert the single old man from his course."

I thought this was portrayed in the Exorcism of Emily Rose, I didn't feel that it was a cheap thrill movie or one that a person should watch lightly. It is supposedly based on actual events, and I tend to believe that sure some things were exaggerated or dramatized, yeah I think it could and does happen that way. Which is why I made the comment I did.

So again, if you have watched it, please elaborate your concern.
If you haven't, well, sharing your opinion on what you have no knowledge of doesn't make a lot of sense.

Fair enough.

[Rose Garden]

I thought the movie "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" was pretty legit.

Let me get this straight.

Porn, (*something not even addressed in the scriptures) will lead to possession but watching a movie basically made to turn possession into an entertaining plot line won't...?

(*that part in matthew is wrongly translated from the greek. Jesus was reminding them that not only is adultery a sin but so was coveting another mans wife)

If you've seen the movie, please elaborate.
If you haven't seen the movie, I'd recommend that you not comment on what you know nothing about.

I didn't recommend the movie. I said I felt like it was legit. Let me expand on that. I think it is probably an accurate depiction of how a good person could be possessed. Serving my mission in japan there is a folktale that I think also is demonstrative.

A man had his eyes opened to the spiritual plane. First he saw a city, with one puny demon in the entire city. "What a righteous city!" he exclaimed.

Then he was shown a disheveled old man surrounded by seven powerful demons. "What a wicked man that must be!" he thought.

(I don't remember the details but there was another being that was responsible for him being able to see the spiritual realm) and he explained "The wicked city only needed one weak little devil to keep all of the inhabitants behaving evilly, but the seven powerful demons could not divert the single old man from his course."

I thought this was portrayed in the Exorcism of Emily Rose, I didn't feel that it was a cheap thrill movie or one that a person should watch lightly. It is supposedly based on actual events, and I tend to believe that sure some things were exaggerated or dramatized, yeah I think it could and does happen that way. Which is why I made the comment I did.

So again, if you have watched it, please elaborate your concern.
If you haven't, well, sharing your opinion on what you have no knowledge of doesn't make a lot of sense.

That is a principle that we all need to understand in this world. Those who are "better" aren't always those who are the smartest, richest, fastest, or so forth. It's those who try the hardest. And that can be the exact opposite of what it looks like.

[Thinker]

...When things effecting behavior are termed "spirits", there is a strong temptation to use historical labels applied to describe the behaviors rather than the pragmatic recognition that they are internal events triggered by some perception.

If psychology was not so controlled by church and state, it could track down a good deal of these instincts and learn how to interact with them. Or, find ways to invoke the good ones that over power the bad animalistic instincts a person is acting or reacting with.

Interesting take.
If I understand you correctly, you believe that spiritual experiences are strictly "internal events."
I would agree that they are mostly internal processes and I'd even agree that there are physiological processes that mingle with mental/emotional processes (esp. endocrine system), but I believe we are very susceptible to external stimuli (as children especially, and somewhat as we mature and adapt to changes).

Also, would you suggest somehow tapping into subconscious processes (especially dream analysis) to understand and deal with those "instincts"? Or what else would you suggest?

[ChristopherABrown]

...When things effecting behavior are termed "spirits", there is a strong temptation to use historical labels applied to describe the behaviors rather than the pragmatic recognition that they are internal events triggered by some perception.

If psychology was not so controlled by church and state, it could track down a good deal of these instincts and learn how to interact with them. Or, find ways to invoke the good ones that over power the bad animalistic instincts a person is acting or reacting with.

Interesting take.
If I understand you correctly, you believe that spiritual experiences are strictly "internal events."
I would agree that they are mostly internal processes and I'd even agree that there are physiological processes that mingle with mental/emotional processes (esp. endocrine system), but I believe we are very susceptible to external stimuli (as children especially, and somewhat as we mature and adapt to changes).

Also, would you suggest somehow tapping into subconscious processes (especially dream analysis) to understand and deal with those "instincts"? Or what else would you suggest?

Your position with "internal events" tempered with the word "mostly" is a quality position. It allows for a degree of spiritual sharing, referring to "dream state sharing", which can also trigger instincts, and perhaps even more.

Psychology is currently stuck in a morass of denial and restriction. If that were to change, I can show that people can be induced to source OTHER instincts and change fairly radically within the epigenetic ranges or limits that are natural. Referring to both time and extent of instinctual breadth behaviors can take. When psychology is unburdened, we will find transformations that can be guided by love and understanding to always find a better place to live from and for.

In order to unburden psychology, we will have to unify within our lawful and peaceful revolution and first see the truths shared that have been hidden from us so long we are afraid of them, when there is no reason for fear.

[Joel]

This looks like a interesting documentary to watch with the lights off with a bunch of believers

[Joel]

[Merriner]

Of course there are devils and unclean spirits. Devils never lived on the earth in a body, and unclean spirits lived bad to horrible lives and are now disembodied and are under Satans control and power to buffet them. We live in a day when there are lots of people who say that believing in them is for an older less enlightened time. Those people say that since then we have come a long way in science, physiology and psychology, and that we don't need to subcribe to such things anymore. This is false doctrine. True science and true religion don't contradict one another. The philosophies of men aren't going to explain the existence of these beings away. When we choose not to believe in them, they rejoice, because this further shrouds them in their anonymity. Throw out the so called "enlightenment" in whatever forms it takes, or throw out the religion. You choose. You can't have it both ways. Those who are endowed, know what Satan claims he and the spirits that follow him will do. Some disembodied spirits who once lived on the earth and are still under Satans power can still be taught, repent and be redeemed from Satans power and find peace and await the judgement. This is part of the war going on on the other side of the veil. Since hell is a place where devils dwell, the telestial world is currently a hell. I've read accounts of people who were afflicted and were shown their tormentors in vision and afterwards felt sorry for them and had the opportunity to teach them and declare forgiveness and redemption through Christ after which those Spirits found peace and were free from the power Satan had on them. Also learned that familiar spirits are "family" spirits or ancestors that lived in your family line who suffered terrible things in life or did horrible things and are under Satans power to afflict and seek the destruction of those who come in that family line. Devils and unclean spirits can cause physical/bodily afflictions. Consecrated oil is consecrated for the healing of the sick and the delivering of the afflicted. There is no reason to be afraid of devils and unclean spirits and talking about them doesn't bring them around. On the contrary, when we shine light on them and unveil their hiding place, they loose their anonymity and they feel vulnerable. Especially when they know a priesthood holder is not afraid or timid about using his priesthood power to cast them out and bind them in the spirit world.

[watchthewatchers]

There were all kinds of demonic possessions back in the day. When that was the default catch-all "diagnosis" when they couldn't figure out any other diagnosis. Also during times when recording and data collecting was more word of mouth and community gossip than anything else. Especially when people want to make themselves appear larger than life and get some attention because they heard that this one time..........

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demonic_p ... able_cases

Specifically on Anneliese Michel, aka The Exorcism of Emily Rose, the people involved ended up effectively killing her because of their religious infused paranoia. The case has been labelled as a misidentification of mental illness, negligence, abuse, and RELIGIOUS HYSTERIA.

Most likely, demonic possession is a medical condition known as anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. At one time, religious hysteria killed cats because they were the spirits of the devil trying to possess people. And the world got to enjoy bubonic plagues killing several hundred million people. Let's not forget the witches that were to blame, too. It took medicine and technology a long time to debunk all that hysteria. Just give it some time with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis.

One thing that is known without question is that Hollywood won't hesitate to make a buck off of any good story by blowing it out of proportion as much as they can get away with.

[XEmilyX]

yes people get possessed by spirits.
When you break commandments or do drugs or look at pornography you open yourself up to having spirits attack and come into you.
How often are people possessed?
Most people actually have bad spirits within them. Whether from past or continuing situations that let them in. Which is why it's important to get a blessing to cast them out.
I was a good latter day saint, and even I had to have bad spirits cast out. They even bound my tongue when we were casting them away.
There's bad spirits in my family members, I can tell because I can hear them. They spoke to me while I was hugging my family. It was creepy. I wish my family would believe they have to get a blessing to cast out, it's awkward hugging them.

The more you think the bad spirits ideas and feelings and thoughts are yours, the more power they have over you.

I'm pretty sure all murderers are possessed by evil spirits and have become slaves to the evil beings appetites.

[eddie]

"The power to resist Satan may be stronger than we realize. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “All beings who have bodies have power over those who have not. The devil has no power over us only as we permit him. The moment we revolt at anything which comes from God, the devil takes power” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1938, p. 181).

He also stated, “Wicked spirits have their bounds, limits, and laws by which they are governed” (History of the Church, 4:576). So Satan and his angels are not all-powerful. One of Satan’s approaches is to persuade a person who has transgressed that there is no hope of forgiveness. But there is always hope. Most sins, no matter how grievous, may be repented of if the desire is sincere enough.

Satan has had great success with this gullible generation. As a consequence, literally hosts of people have been victimized by him and his angels. There is, however, an ample shield against the power of Lucifer and his hosts. This protection lies in the spirit of discernment through the gift of the Holy Ghost. This gift comes undeviatingly by personal revelation to those who strive to obey the commandments of the Lord and to follow the counsel of the living prophets."

James E. Faust

[Sasquatch]

I believe demonic possession, or at least demonic influence (rather than outright control of someone), has occurred ever since Satan and his followers learned how to affect people in fleshly tabernacles. There's absolutely no reason to assume that possession was exclusive to Christ's era, or scriptural times, it has likely occurred ever since then and will continue until Christ returns.

One individual I suspect was under demonic influence was Ivan IV the Terrible. He was probably one of the most cruel individuals ever born: he started off with animal torture, graduated to gang rapes and beatings as a teenager, and then as tsar, indulged in frequent attacks and murders, culminating with the organized massacre of Novgorod which he personally led. He also struck his oldest son and heir dead in a fit of rage. But, he also alternately went into deep remorse and fits of wailing, forming a dent in his forehead from beating his head against the floor.

[Ratbag]

Specifically on Anneliese Michel, aka The Exorcism of Emily Rose, the people involved ended up effectively killing her because of their religious infused paranoia. The case has been labelled as a misidentification of mental illness, negligence, abuse, and RELIGIOUS HYSTERIA.

Most likely, demonic possession is a medical condition known as anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. At one time, religious hysteria killed cats because they were the spirits of the devil trying to possess people. And the world got to enjoy bubonic plagues killing several hundred million people. Let's not forget the witches that were to blame, too. It took medicine and technology a long time to debunk all that hysteria. Just give it some time with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis.

One thing that is known without question is that Hollywood won't hesitate to make a buck off of any good story by blowing it out of proportion as much as they can get away with.

This is good wisdom of the world, secular science thinking that bears no resemblance to what has been taught by the Church. I'll believe what has been taught by the Church over so-called "medical science." Here is what is included in the LDS Bible dictionary on the subject. "Since the devil and his premortal angels have no physical body of flesh and bones, they often seek to possess the bodies of mortal beings." (Bible Dictionary, Devil) There's a paper you should read, "Possession by Devils and Unclean Spirits." Download it here: http://www.7witnesses.com/uploads/3/8/9 ... espie_.pdf